African Leaders Push for Dialogue to End DRC Conflict

African leaders have reaffirmed their commitment to resolving the ongoing conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) through dialogue, emphasizing the need for both parties to engage in peace talks and end hostilities, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said.

Speaking to journalists upon his return from the 38th African Union (AU) Summit in Addis Ababa,  Ethiopia, President Mnangagwa, who chairs the Southern African Development Community (SADC), said the security situation in the DRC was a major point of discussion at the gathering. 

“The summit had full representation from all African regions, and the primary issue under discussion was the situation in eastern DRC,” he said. “The consensus was that both parties should be encouraged to negotiate and put an end to the violence that is disrupting communities in the region.”

By Ruvarashe Gora

The AU summit, held under the theme “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations,” also provided a platform for African leaders to discuss historical injustices caused by imperial powers.

President Mnangagwa noted that while there was a shared understanding that Africa should seek reparations, the approach would differ across regions. “We agreed to establish a platform to pursue reparations, but it will be a long process, with each region coordinating its efforts based on its unique historical impact,” he said.

Ahead of the AU summit, SADC and the East African Community (EAC) had convened in Tanzania to reinforce their commitment to the AU’s objectives. The regional blocs have been working together to address security concerns in eastern DRC, demonstrating a united front in peace-building efforts.

During a separate engagement at the AU Peace and Security Council, President Mnangagwa, in a speech delivered on his behalf by Foreign Affairs Minister Professor Amon Murwira, reiterated Africa’s responsibility to solve its own challenges.

“We believe in African-led solutions to our problems. Strengthening peace mechanisms and ending conflicts across the continent should remain our priority,” the statement read.

Before leaving Ethiopia, President Mnangagwa met with his Mozambican counterpart, President Daniel Chapo, for a closed-door discussion focused on economic cooperation.

Emerging from the meeting, President Chapo emphasized the need for closer economic ties between the two countries. “Just as Zimbabwe and Mozambique stood together during the liberation struggle, we must now work together to achieve economic freedom,” he said.

The AU summit served as a platform for African leaders to push for peace, economic collaboration, and justice, with a strong focus on addressing security concerns in the DRC and advancing reparations for past injustices.